Handing Interviews & Group Discussions

2

Workshop Objectives

After completing this program participants will be able to:

• Define an Interview and explain a behavioral interview.

• List steps of a Good Interview

• List the most sought out competencies by employers

• Describe the essentials in a resume

• List good practices to employ before, during and after an interview.

• Describe professional attire, verbal and non verbal gestures for making a good impression

• Describe a Group Discussion and list the skills that are observation

• List the dos and don’ts of a Group Discussion

2

3

What Is An Interview?

A selection procedure designed to predict future job performance on the basis of applicants oral responses to oral enquiries

Behavioral interviewing is a methodology built on the premise that “the best indicator of what a person will do tomorrow is what he or she did yesterday.”

The interview focuses on specific experiences of candidates, as opposed to “what-if” scenarios.

How Can I Prepare for Behavioral Interviewing?

• Know yourself.

• Know why you are a STAR!

• Know your “customer.”

• Know what you have that your customer wants.

• Ask great questions.

• Close the interview.

• Follow-up.

3

4

Seven Steps for a Great Interview

Step 1: Be Prepared

Step 2: Build Confidence

Step 3: Make A Great 1st Impression

Step 4: Establish Credibility

Step 5: Answer Questions

Step 6: Ask Questions

Step 7 : Close and Follow-up

4

5

Activity: Know Yourself

Activity: Individual Self Assessment- Know Yourself

Time: 10 Mins

Reference: Page 1 of Participant Handout

5

6

Know Your Prospective Employer

PREPARE FOR THEM

Research the company and the industry

Find out about the position

Understand what they are looking for in an employee

Match your strengths with what they need

Prepare possible questions from your resume

Have quality questions ready

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Google it

Press releases

Annual reports

Understand markets served

6

7

Research Your Customer

What are the company goals

What are the Company current events

Services and/or products

New launches

Sales: Any large increase or decrease and why

Competition

International operations

Any media information on the company in the last year

7

Know your industry like the back of your hand. Be an SME

Be aware of any emerging technology or trends

Remain current on any issues and developments

Know about the latest mergers or takeovers in your industry

Read trade journals or professional publications

Knowledge of the company & industry creates a good impression

The Company The Industry

8

Your Resume: Stand Out From The Crowd

Your resume is your marketing tool

• Does it effectively describe your background?

• Does it accentuate the positives & accomplishments?

• Does it focus on your value to your previous employers?

• Perfection counts

• Is it honest and accurate?

• Is it a successful marketing piece?

• Does it make you stand out from the crowd?

8

9

Interviewers Look Out For

Organization Of Events

Clarity Of Depiction

Completeness: Are dates and/or descriptions omitted.

Unexplained Breaks In Service And Education

Extent Of Customization To The Job Applied

Quality Of The Resume – Mode, Spelling Errors, Verbosity

Complete Contact Information

Remember to omit personal information unrelated to the job

9

10

Making the Last Word A Good One:

• Employers want to speak with people who know a

candidate well

• Choose 3 – 5 people who will provide favourable recommendations

• Select the most willing articulate people you can

• Always ask permission of the people you ask to be references before including their name on your reference list.

• Provide a list of names, addresses, telephone numbers and relationship to you.

References

10

11

Interview Pre-Work

11

Logistics:

• Confirm location and time of meeting

• Determine estimated travel time

• Have the name and contact number of the person you are meeting at hand

Important Documents

• Carry your CV with additional copies

• Copies of Letters of Recommendations

• Portfolio of writing samples or other professional work

• Personal ID - a passport, driver’s license

• Other material relevant to the interview

• Pen and paper.

?

12

• Arrive early at the venue.

• Remember Your interview really begins as soon as you arrive at

the place of the interview.

• When asked to wait keep calm, and take the opportunity to go

over your answers to some of the questions you think you might be asked.

• Making a good impression in the waiting room is just as important as when the interview begins.

• In the waiting area don’t use slang, chewing gum or smoke

cigarettes.

• Standard politeness is important

When You Arrive…

12

13

Interview Anxiety

It can involve several physical symptoms including:

Trembling hands

Shaking legs

Pounding heart

Feeling nauseous

Shortness of breath

Sweaty palms

Headaches

13

14

First Impressions

Your Image

Don’t underestimate first impressions

Arrive early

Well-groomed, polished

Articulate

Eye-contact

Firm handshake

Smile

Be courteous

14

All else being equal, Image is a tie-breaker

15

During The Interview: Making A Lasting Impression

• Prepare your Introduction & Key points.

• Listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying

• Stress on what you can contribute to the organisation

• Be crisp in what you want to say.

• Complete your sentences. Don’t answer just "yes" or "no"

• Use the STAR format for framing your responses

• Be specific. Do not be vague.

• If you don’t understand the question, ask for clarification.

• What you don’t know can be learned. Tell them if you don’t know something, but give instances of how quick a learner you are.

• Switch off your cell phone

• Strike a balance between what you are and who you want to be. Don’t portray yourself as somebody who isn't concerned about money, social status, etc.

• Send a Thank You letter outlining your interest in the job.

15

16

12 Most Sought After Competencies

• Communication• Achievement Orientation• Customer Focus• Team Work• Leadership• Planning And Organizing• Commercial Awareness• Flexibility• Developing Others• Problem Solving• Analytical Thinking• Building Relationships

16

17

Interview Faux Pas

• Don’t be over confident

• Don’t boast

• Do not bad mouth your previous employer

• Don’t get personal

• Don’t talk about your personal problems

• Don’t be in a hurry to complete the interview

• If the interviewer is interrupted, do not scan the settings or pick up papers and start reading

• Don’t answer your cell phone.

17

18

Your Questions for The Interviewer

What will be my most difficult challenge in my first six months?

What will I be contributing to your group or organization?

What is your corporate culture?

18

19

Never Say The Following

1. How much does the job pay?

2. What does your company make or do?

3. Do not use slang words or phrases

4. What can you do for me?

5. No profanity or cursing.

6. No stereotypical language.

7. Do not criticize any former employer

8. If you are asked whether you have any questions don’t say no.

9. Don’t say – I don’t have any weaknesses

10. Don’t tell them your life story

19

20

Closing The Conversation

• Let the interviewer close

• If you have the job stop selling yourself

• When the interviewer says, "If you have no further

questions then we are done."

• Ask:

I’d like to know how to proceed from here.

Should I contact you or will you be in contact

20

21

Activity: Mock Interview

Activity: Mock Interview

Time: 20 Minutes

21

22

Interview Attire: From Top To Toe

General Norms

Dress for the audience, the circumstance,

the corporate culture, and yourself

Wear conservative NOT flashy clothes.

Wear clothes that fit and are pressed

Use mild (or no) fragrances

Have a fresh breath

Hair

Keep your hair done/neatly

Hair should not fall on your face,

obscure your eyebrows or need

continuous adjustment

22

23

Dressing Right- Donts

Wear dress shoes. Don’t wear sneakers or casuals.

Use deodorant/antiperspirant. Don’t use too much scent.

Use makeup sparingly. Don’t use evening makeup.

Limit your jewellery. Don’t wear too many earrings or rings.

Avoid shiny tie pins, clips or big belt buckles

Avoid trends. Stick to classic looks.

23

24

The Verbal Element: Words To Watch Out For

24

• I’ll Try

• I Guess

• Maybe

• But

• Seems To

• Possibly

• You Know

• Might

• Should

• If

• Well Actually

• Probably

25

The Verbal Element: Power Words

25

1. Applicable

2. Effective

3. Excel

4. Practiced

5. Versatile

6. Passionate

7. Asset

8. Practical

9. Maintained

10. Negotiated

11. Responsible

12. Detailed

13. Commitment

26

The Visual Element: Body Language

26

NON VERBAL CUES INTERPRETATION

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

Frown Displeasure, Unhappiness

Smile Friendliness, Happiness

Raised Eyebrows Disbelief, Amazement

Narrowed Eyes Anger

Blushing Embarrassment

EYE CONTACT

Glancing Lack Of Interest

Steady Active Listening, Interest

HAND ARM GESTURES

Pointing Finger Authority, Displeasure, Lecturing

Folded Arms Not Open To Change, Preparing To Speak

Arms At Side Open To Suggestions, Relaxed

27

Good Body Language

• Sit up straight in your chair

• Sitting on the edge of your chair may convey nervousness

• Look at all the interview partners to an equal extent.

• Keep looking at an interviewer for as long as he or she

is speaking when being asked a question.

• Nodding your head while speaking is a good way of supporting

your words or adding meaning to them.

• Turn a little with your shoulders towards the speaker and to lean forward a little. This communicates interest.

• Emphasize interest by tilting your head very slightly.

• Let your hands lie loosely on your lap or place them on the armrests of your chair.

• Palms must face up.

• Hand movements can also help to liven up the interview. But not at the beginning of the interview.

27

28

In A Telephonic Interview

• You cannot see the interviewer, so you have to trust only two senses - hearing & intuition

• Do not short circuit the interview. The process should be the same as a face-to-face interview

• Use the STAR framework for structuring your responses.

• Use many descriptive statements, prompting expressions ,like …· Yes, sure· I will tell you more· For example· I understand· In what sense?

• Keep sentences & discussions short

• Summarize each section

28

29

Activity: Group Discussion

Activity: Group Discussion

Time: 20 Minutes

Topic: Chose any one.

• Rules are meant to be broken

• A Ship Docked in Harbour cannot face the Storms

• Capitalism is a very Flawed System but the others are so much worse

29

30

Group Discussions

What skills are judged in group discussion?

• How good you are at communication with others.

• How you behave and interact with group.

• How open minded are you.

• Your listening skill.

• How you put forward your views.

• Your leadership and decision making skills.

• Your analysis skill and subject knowledge.

• Problem solving and critical thinking skill.

• Your attitude and confidence.

30

31

Do's and Donts of Group Discussions

• Keep eye contact while speaking

• Allow others to speak

• Speak clearly

• Make your contribution meaningful

• Make sure to bring the discussion on track

• Positive attitude

• Listen carefully to others

• No need to go into much details

31

32

To Excel At Group Discussions

• Be Yourself

• Take time to organize your thoughts

• Don’t make the mistake of looking at the panel

while you are speaking

• Seek clarifications

• Watch your body language

• Don’t lose your cool

• Show your leadership skills

32

33

Your Thoughts

• What went well?

• What could we do more of?

• What should we do less of?

• What could be done differently?

33

34

Leading People. Leading Organizations.

Thank you

®

34